Come join Saskatoon Cycles at the City of Saskatoon’s official opening of the 23rd St Separated Bike Lanes!

When: Wednesday, July 15th, 11am

Where: Civic Square (between City Hall and the Library)

Let’s show how much we appreciate this big step in the right direction in building safer cycling infrastructure for those who choose to cycle in Saskatoon!

ABOUT THE PROJECT

What is the Downtown Protected Bike Lane Demonstration Project?

The project will demonstrate the use of protected bike lanes on 23rd Street (between Idylwyld Drive and Spadina Crescent) and on 4th Avenue (between 19th Street and 24th Street). Protected bike lanes for this project are on-street bike lanes that are physically separated from traffic by parked cars, a painted buffer and flexible posts

Wasn’t this lane supposed to open in late June? Why the delay?

There are many logistical details involved in planning and constructing protected bike lanes. We will apply our learnings from the 23st Street lane project to the 4th Avenue lane being constructed next summer.

Why were these routes chosen?

After much public input and consultation, these roads were selected based as they are wide and can accommodate the lanes with a minimum disruption to traffic, transit and parking. They bring people on bikes directly to the centre of Downtown and connect directly with other popular cycling routes and trails.

Why is it important to have protected bike lanes in the Downtown?

The lanes provide people who bike, or may be considering biking, with another choice for moving around the Downtown and make cycling a more attractive mode of travel for a wider range of people.

When will the lanes be in use?

The 23rd Street lane will be open on July 10, 2015. The 4th Avenue lane will tentatively open in June 2016. The 4th Avenue lane was delayed as it was felt appropriate to wait until the University Bridge repairs are complete in the event of an increase in traffic in this area.

How is this project linked to other efforts to make biking in the Downtown a more attractive option?

Protected Bike Lanes are part of the City’s continuing efforts to make Saskatoon an attractive city to live in and improve quality of life. The City’s Strategic Plan and the City Centre Plan both identified the need to improve biking as a strategy to increase the attractiveness of, and access to the Downtown for businesses, residents, visitors, employers and their employees. A vibrant and healthy downtown benefits the entire city and region. Biking as a mode of transportation is also part of the City’s upcoming Active Transportation Plan.

Who will use the lanes?

Other municipal research shows that about 10% of residents are comfortable or very comfortable biking; this group may or may not use the lanes as they are comfortable biking on the streets now. Another 60% of residents say they are interested in biking more but feel concerned about biking on streets with traffic. 30% say will never use the lanes as they are physically unable or not at comfortable or interested in biking.

How will the project be evaluated?

Average daily counts of people biking will be conducted in various locations along 23rd Street, as well as throughout the Downtown. Perceptions of various aspects of the lanes such as their safety, if they improve accessibility and make the Downtown more vibrant, and if there are any negative impacts to other members of the public and businesses will also be measured using various research tools.

What other cities are using protected bike lanes?

Protected Bike Lanes started appearing in North American cities 25 years ago and in the last 10 years they have become a successful cycling facility. Canada’s largest cities (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa and Calgary) all have permanent protected bike lanes. Demonstration projects are currently underway in Edmonton and Winnipeg.

Are the lanes working in these cities?

The most recent research throughout the U.S. from the National Institute for Transportation and Communities indicates that Protected Bike Lanes have increased ridership, and do not have a negative impact on retail sales in areas in which they are located.

ABOUT THE LANES

What’s the difference between a sharrow and a protected bike lane?

With a sharrow, cyclists and motorists share a lane. With protected bike lanes people who bike and people who drive travel in their own lanes in same direction.

What will the lanes look like?

The lanes will be 1.5 meters wide and will be located adjacent to the sidewalk. One meter high plastic poles will be anchored into the asphalt about 5 meters apart. Road paint will mark the lanes.

Will the lanes be marked?

Signs and pavement markings will be placed on the lanes.

Will there be more parking for bikes Downtown?

Additional bike parking racks are being added within the Downtown.

Where can I get more information on the lanes and their use?

Information on how to use the lanes, including signage rules will be posted on the City’s website at www.saskatoon.ca/cycling.

How is the City communicating the demonstration project to the public?

We will use radio messages, social media, City page ads, a short video and information on the website to educate the public about the lanes.

PUBLIC SUPPORT & BENEFITS

Is there public support for protected bike lanes in Downtown Saskatoon?

Yes, 95% of the public and organizations who have an interest in Downtown (business associations, cycling groups, etc.) believe the lanes will increase comfort for people who ride bike, 85% believe it will improve the accessibility of Downtown, and 84% believe it will improve the attractiveness of Downtown.

Who will benefit from protected bike lanes in Downtown Saskatoon?

People who bike will have their own lane to travel in. People who drive will not have to share the lane with people who bike. And people who walk will benefit from less sidewalk riding. It is believed local businesses will benefit from increased numbers of residents visiting the Downtown.

IMPACTS ON PARKING, TRAFFIC FLOW & TRANSIT

Will car parking be impacted?

The lanes will not have a large impact on the number of parking stalls available. While 29 parking spaces are lost, 23 parking spaces will be added on the north side of 24th Street between Idylwyld Drive and Ontario Avenue. There is a net lot of six spaces total.

Will businesses along the routes be impacted due to this loss in parking spots?

The City recognizes a loss of six parking spaces may have a negative economic impact on the Downtown; however, it is felt the addition to the protected bike lanes will actually increase the number of people who travel to the Downtown for shopping, dining, etc.

Will the lanes impact traffic flow?

Downtown traffic flows have been analysed to reduce the impact of this project on traffic movement. Overall travel time on Downtown streets will be negligibly increased.

The Downtown transit terminal is on 23rd Street. How will people who bike travel through the terminal?

As they do now, people who bike will continue to walk their bike through the terminal.

How will buses stop along those routes?

Transit stops will continue to be located at the curb, which will block the protected bike lane for short periods of time. Signage will be place to alert people who are biking of the transit stop locations; they must come to a complete stop behind a stopped bus, and then continue on after the bus has pulled away. Where there is a transit platform, cyclists can proceed cautiously across the platform yielding priority to transit users.

SAFETY & ENFORCEMENT

Are the lanes safe?

Yes however people who bike should continue to drive defensively. Signage and markings will be used to provide information on where the bike lanes start/finish, and where conflicts with other road users could occur (like at driveways and crosswalks).

What if there is an accident in a bike lane?

Accidents will be handled the same way any other accidents are handled.

How will rules along the protected bike lane routes be enforced?

Rules will be enforced the same way other traffic rules are enforced, by police.

WINTER USE & MAINTENANCE

Will the lanes be open in winter? Will snow be cleared from the lanes?

Yes. Snow will be cleared and removed from the protected bike lanes as quickly as possible following a snow fall.

Saskatoon Cycles Address the Parking Meter Conversion Pilot Project Report to City Council

Saskatoon Cycles is of the opinion that the amount of replacement bike parking and the timing of the proposed pilot project are entirely inadequate to address an immediate and growing need for places for locking bikes in our BIDS as the old parking meter heads are removed over the coming weeks.

Currently, there are nearly 1,500 parking meter heads that have also served as defacto places for bikes to be parked/locked for many years. The project being proposed to replace this lost parking includes a total of 45 new bike locking stations and that this ‘demo’ be carried out until at least the Fall of 2016.

Saskatoon Cycles cannot support replacing only 3% of the current places that bikes can be parked and locked to in our BIDS. We also cannot support, nor see the reason why, the 2 year demonstration project.

While Saskatoon Cycles is not advocating that all 1,500 meters be converted to bike parking, we are suggesting that the number be significantly more than 45. The need for bike parking is especially important along and near the main commercial areas in all three BIDs, and we would suggest that additional parking be strategically placed in these areas (Broadway Ave, 20th St, Farmers market, 2nd Ave, to name a few). Already along these routes places to park/lock bikes is under-supplied.

Saskatoon Cycles would point out that City Council recently took the bold step of approving the demonstration separated bike lane project for 23rd and 4th Ave. However, if this current conversion plan is implemented, there will be less than 10 parking spots along both of these 1 km long roads during their demo period. Studies have shown that those who choose to bike spend the most at businesses along bike routes, but those people need a place to secure their bikes too.

Saskatoon Cycles wants to emphasis that time is of the essence in ensuring an adequate number of bike parking stations be provided in our BIDs. Replacement parking spots are need this week and not months or years from now. Therefore, instead of advocating that the current plan from City Administration be rejected, we are asking that City Council work to amend it so it doesn’t get sent back to the starting line again.

]]>http://saskatooncycles.org/2015/05/08/more-bike-parking-needed-today-not-in-2-years/feed/0Saskatoon Cycles Responds to Mayor’s Comments on Bike Laneshttp://saskatooncycles.org/2015/03/10/responds-to-mayors-on-bike-lanes/
http://saskatooncycles.org/2015/03/10/responds-to-mayors-on-bike-lanes/#commentsTue, 10 Mar 2015 20:10:28 +0000http://saskatooncycles.org/?p=11547(March 10, 2015) Saskatoon Cycles was encouraged by the support Saskatoon’s separated bike lane demonstration project received from the Transportation Committee of City Council on March 9th, in which all City Councillors present voted in favour of forwarding the proposed project to the next City Council meeting for approval. Mayor Don Atchison was the only Transportation Committee member to vote against the proposed project.

Saskatoon Cycles welcomes the debate over the potential merits and impacts of the separated bike lane project on our downtown streets, but wishes to clarify the misinformation the Mayor has recently shared in various media interviews, specifically:

1. Cycling route maintenance and development – in January 2014, City Council, inclusive of Mayor Don Atchison, unanimously supported shifting the priority for Saskatoon’s cycling budget away from a Wiggins Avenue bikeway towards a downtown separated bike lane project (at least for the short term). Saskatoon Cycles agrees that there are other much-needed cycling connections in Saskatoon, and hopes those projects will eventually be designated and developed in addition to the downtown separated bike lane project.

2. The bike lane demonstration project cost – the estimated $225,000 cost of this project will be spread out over two years (2015 and 2016). The funds for the project will come from the dedicated $375,000 cycling budget approved by City Council every year for the past four years – NOT from funds dedicated to any other City of Saskatoon service or infrastructure.

3. Snow clearing – we presume the City of Saskatoon, and Mayor Don Atchison, would agree that snow on downtown streets is already cleared and removed on a regular basis. City Administration indicated that if there were any additional costs associated with clearing snow from separated bike lanes, those costs would be debited from the existing cycling budget.

4. Impact on the number of Saskatoon cyclists – there is no accurate way to predict how many more people will choose to cycle through Saskatoon’s downtown on the separated bike lanes, before they are built. However, data from other cities has shown that similar projects have resulted in significant increases in the number of cyclists. This data is readily available online, but can be provided upon request.

“We fully expect and welcome the debate on the separated bike lane project, but it’s counter-productive – and frankly, illogical – to pit one worthy City of Saskatoon project against another,” said Sean Shaw, Saskatoon Cycles board member. “The aim of the downtown separated bike lane project is to demonstrate the impact of safer infrastructure on cycling through Saskatoon’s downtown core. Saskatoon Cycles sincerely hopes the City of Saskatoon will track this impact as closely as possible, so that the results of this demonstration can inform future projects.”

This report is intended to serve as a planning and conceptual design guide for planners, engineers, citizens, advocates, and decision makers who are considering bicycle boulevards in their community. Data for this guide was developed from literature review, case study interviews, and input from a panel of professional experts.

Section two of this guide contains information on bicycle boulevard planning, including considerations for route selection, public involvement, and funding.

Section three provides information on design elements commonly used on bicycle boulevards including descriptions, design and implementation recommendations, images, and cost range estimates as available.

Finally, Section five presents individual case studies of bicycle boulevards from across the United States. Additional resources, including a bicycle boulevard audit, can be found in the appendices.

]]>http://saskatooncycles.org/2014/12/29/how-to-set-up-a-bike-boulevard/feed/0Bike Boulevards and other devices used in Vancouverhttp://saskatooncycles.org/2014/12/29/bike-boulevards-and-other-devices-used-in-vancouver/
http://saskatooncycles.org/2014/12/29/bike-boulevards-and-other-devices-used-in-vancouver/#commentsMon, 29 Dec 2014 22:00:00 +0000http://saskatooncycles.org/wp4/?p=11379The city of Vancouver has an excellent system of Bike Boulevards; which they call “Bikeways.” Here is a great article by Matthew Blackett with pictures and descriptions of some Bike Boulevard features.

VANCOUVER — Riding my bike through Vancouver has made me aware of some of the traffic calming features the city has added. Bulges are used often to slow vehicle traffic on neighbourhood roads, but it was the added touch of cut-throughs and paved lanes that allow cycling traffic to maintain its speed and flow that caught my attention. These occured on the shared road where bikes and cars seem to have equal status (Click on smaller photos to enlarge).

Another fantastic feature that Vancouver has recently initiated is the closing of the short end of city blocks. These closings occur repeatedly along the same street and create a small but attractive greenway. In the examples shown (above, right, and below), the former street has been narrowed significantly and an interlocked-brick path has been built for pedestrians and cyclists. But the city has gone beyond the functional aspect of traffic calming by creating parks and gardens along these paths. This is a classic example of placemaking: by turning a place that was once used almost exclusively for traffic, the city has transformed these spaces into places to stop, rest and appreciate the surrounding greenery. The park also provides local residents with the opportunity to take part in community gardening (these sites have signs encouraging residents to take ownership of the spaces).

The popular Legacy Trail bike path through Banff National Park is expanding past the park boundaries.
Canmore residents celebrated the opening of their own connection to Banff National Park today — a new stretch running from the town to the Banff park gates.
The province also announced another extension will be built through Canmore, saying the project is integral in helping the flood-ravaged town get back in business.
Cyclists cruise down the Legacy Trail, a bike path that now connects Canmore to Banff. (CBC)

Saskatoon Cycles and Saskatoon Police Services are proud to announce the launch of The Light up Your Life campaign, which is designed to increase awareness about cycling safety and engage the cycling community in safety education.

The highlight of the Light Up Your Life campaign will be the distribution of free bike lights to Saskatoon residents. Education of cyclists, young and old, will also play a large part of the joint campaign.

Research has proven that cycling accidents which occur at night are more likely to be fatal. Another study has shown collisions at night were also more than twice as likely to occur in comparison to those occurring during the day.

“The Light Up Your Life campaign is a first step in a long term program to increase awareness about cycling safety and engage the cycling/driving community in safety education.” explains Sharon Elder, Saskatoon Cycles Bike Valet Coordinator. “Providing proper lighting for cycles is a simple way to increase visibility on our roads and to promote cycling safety in our community. We are all stakeholders when on the roads, safety is vital!” continues Sharon

City of Saskatoon Bylaw #6884 (The Bike Bylaw) clearly states that the use of a front light and rear reflector or light must be used during the period from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise or at any other time when conditions of poor visibility exist.

Free lights will be handed out at many venues to help cyclists to obey the rules. In addition, we will also be handing out information about being visible and following the rules of the road” indicates Sharon.
“Bikes are vehicles; the same rules of the road apply. $50.00 tickets (with a $25.00 reduction if paid within two weeks) will be issued to those who are in violation of this bylaw, starting August 1, 2014.

Support for the Light Up Your Life campaign is possible through the donation of funds and/or bike lights.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW, PLEASE CONTACT:

Sharon Elder, Bike Valet Coordinator
306.978.1636
bselder@usa.net

]]>http://saskatooncycles.org/2014/12/29/light-up-your-life/feed/0Track Your Rides!http://saskatooncycles.org/2014/12/29/track-your-rides/
http://saskatooncycles.org/2014/12/29/track-your-rides/#commentsMon, 29 Dec 2014 20:04:25 +0000http://saskatooncycles.org/wp4/?p=11332Saskatoon Cycles is in the process of organizing a summit around cycling in the city. The event will serve to produce a strategic document highlighting multi-year priorities for cycling infrastructure development with the end goal being a comprehensive cycling network for commuting by bicycle in Saskatoon. This event will bring together a variety fo stakeholders, and more details are to come.

In the meantime, we need your help!

In order to have a realistic view of where Saskatoon residents cycle in their daily lives, Saskaoton Cycles will be consuulting data available from a popular cycling tracking app called Strava. Though Strava is often used to track training rides for athletes, it is also used by many to track their daily commutes – and that’s exactly what we’re asking you to do! Rest assured that the data is completely anonymous, and is pooled collectively to provide an overview of where people cycle. Once aggragated by Strava and provided to us, it will not show specifics about individual rides, or starting and end points. What it allows us to see is which routes are most used – which is VERY useful information. Help us advocate for a better ride on your route!

We’ve seen lots of new, innovative bikeway designs appear on New York City streets over the past few years. But, there’s one very promising concept we haven’t seen – bicycle boulevards. Bicycle boulevard design uses a variety of techniques to create low-traffic, low-speed streets where cyclists mix comfortably with cars. They’re very popular in Portland and Berkeley, two cities with high bicycle mode-share. Here in New York, though, they don’t seem to be part of the playbook yet. In this Streetfilm we ask: Why not?